What is the Medicare Safety Net?
The Medicare Safety Net is a scheme designed by the Australian Government to provide financial assistance to individuals and families who incur high medical costs. It helps to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for eligible Medicare services received out of hospital.

How Does the Medicare Safety Net Work?
Once you reach a certain threshold in out-of-pocket costs, the Medicare Safety Net provides higher Medicare benefits for eligible services. This means that you will get more money back from Medicare for out-of-hospital services for the rest of the calendar year.

Safety Net Thresholds
There are three different thresholds for the Medicare Safety Net:

1. Original Medicare Safety Net (OMSN):

  • This is available to all Medicare cardholders.

  • Once you and your family spend a certain amount on out-of-pocket costs, you will receive 100% of the schedule fee for out-of-hospital services.

2. Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN):

  • This offers further financial assistance and is available to all Medicare cardholders.

  • Once you and your family reach the EMSN threshold, Medicare will pay up to 80% of your out-of-pocket costs for out-of-hospital services.

3. Extended Medicare Safety Net – Concessional and Family Tax Benefit Part A (EMSN-CFTB):

  • This provides additional benefits to those with a Commonwealth concession card or who are eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A.

  • You will receive increased benefits once you reach this threshold.

How to Qualify for the Safety Net

To benefit from the Medicare Safety Net, make sure:

  • Your family members are registered as a Medicare Safety Net family.

  • Keep your Medicare details up to date.

  • Monitor your out-of-pocket expenses throughout the year.

How to Register for the Medicare Safety Net

Families need to register to ensure all out-of-pocket expenses are counted towards the Safety Net. Individual Medicare cardholders do not need to register. You can register as a family online through your MyGov account linked to Medicare, by calling Medicare, or by visiting a Medicare service centre.

To find out more information visit the Services Australia Website